Wrestling: New Bedford wrestlers look past loss to B-R

The New Bedford High wrestling team was dismissed by Bridgewater-Raynham and hopes to bounce back and win its 10th consecutive Big 3 title.

SEAN McCARTHY

NEW BEDFORD — Redemption.

For the New Bedford High wrestling team, a victory next Wednesday would certainly compensate for a tough loss Thursday night.

After being dismissed by Bridgewater-Raynham, 37-25, the Whalers immediately set their sights to the future — specifically their 10th consecutive Big 3 title that could come with a defeat of Durfee Wednesday. New Bedford is 1-0 in conference play thanks to a defeat of Brockton earlier this season.

The Whalers went into Thursday's match missing three wrestlers and that forced them to move many of their grapplers into higher weight classes. But they refused to make excuses.

"If we face them with a healthy team, it will result in a great match," said Whalers' coach Steve Estevez. "I think we'll see a better result in our next meeting."

The Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans were in control from the outset, beginning with Matt Libby's upset win in the first match against Corey Mello.

"That win off the bat really got us going," said B-R coach Jeff Francis. "That was a big match. From there, our seniors were able to come through big.

"We're thrilled to come out of here with a win."

B-R is 17-4 and New Bedford is 13-3.

The Whalers beat the Trojans in two of three meetings last season.

For New Bedford, Thursday's match included notable performances from Zack Chandanais, Bobby Bulgar, Blaine Hopwood, Will Gilmour and Dennis Costa.

Chandanais' match in the 285-pound weight class was particularly exciting. The Whalers' co-captain found himself battling back to his feet after being on his back for the first time all season. He went on to pin his competitor later in the round.

Earlier in the match the Whalers got their first pin thanks to Bulgar at 189.

Hopwood added a victory in the 145-pound bout.

"That win gave us some momentum as we were going into our strength which is the higher weight classes," Chandanais said of Hopwood's performance. "That gave us some juice."

The Whalers also got a win from the 171-pound Gilmour.

And although Costa was defeated at 215, he went to double overtime before narrowly falling to one of B-R's strongest competitors.

Chandanais predicted afterwards that Costa will redeem himself at sectionals.

But before they face the Hilltoppers Wednesday night, the Whalers will host a four-team match on Saturday including Greater Lawrence, Andover and Norwood. They have yet to go up against any of those teams this season.

"We'd like to see a large crowd for Wednesday's match with Durfee," Chandanais said.

Coach Estevez is anticipating a strong postseason for his team.

"You don't want to lose but the only thing that really counts is how you finish. We're hoping to have our entire team healthy for sectionals."